MANILA, Philippines – Amid criticisms for being abroad while Typhoon Nina battered her home region, Vice President Leni Robredo is set to visit affected areas in the Bicol region today.
Robredo, who hails from Naga City, was scheduled to arrive in Manila yesterday after spending the holidays in the United States with her daughters.
Netizens criticized Robredo for her absence during the typhoon that left three persons dead and 21 missing.
Robredo flew to the US before Christmas Day for a family reunion. The trip was planned more than a year ago, her spokesperson Georgina Hernandez said.
Hernandez said Robredo coordinated relief efforts and directed her staff to work with regional officials and agencies in setting up relief centers even though she was abroad.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said at least 424,223 families or 1,893,404 persons were affected by the typhoon in 1,698 barangays in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal,Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Masbate, Romblon, Marinduque), Bicol and Eastern Visayas. Damage to infrastructure and agriculture was placed at P4.96 billion.
P32.1-M aid from Australia
Meanwhile, the Australian government is providing AU$900,000 or P32.1 million in humanitarian assistance to families affected by Nina, said Julie Bishop, Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In a statement, Bishop said the assistance, which would be coursed to the Philippine Red Cross, would support at least 35,000 people with the provision of emergency items such as sleeping mats, blankets, mosquito nets, tarpaulins and hygiene kits.
Bishop said the Australian government would respond to additional requests for assistance.
China to provide assistance
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China is ready to provide emergency assistance to typhoon victims.
In a message to President Duterte, Xi extended condolences over the casualties and damage caused by Nina.
Xi said China and the Philippines are friendly neighbors, and the Chinese government and people are ”deeply worried about the Filipino people who have been hit and become homeless in the disaster.”
He expressed belief that Filipinos would overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes.